Garment

ABSTRACT

A skin-tight garment ( 10 ) is disclosed in the form of a wetsuit having a body portion ( 11 ); arms portions ( 12, 12′ ); and an arm zip ( 13, 13′ ) extending from the distal end of an arm portion and terminating at a neck area of the body portion, where—in both sides of the or each arm zip ( 13, 13′ ) remain permanently attached to each other at the distal end of an arm portion and are closed by drawing the zip up from the distal end of an arm portion ( 12, 12′ ) to the neck area of a body portion. Also disclosed is garment ( 10 ) having a body portion ( 11 ); arm portions ( 12, 12′ ); and at least one pair of arm zips ( 13  &amp;  21; 13′  &amp;  21′ ) wherein the or each pair of arm zips extends along an arm portion in respective opposite directions from an elbow region ( 20, 20′ ) of that arm portion, and wherein both sides of the or each pair of arm zips ( 13, 13′ ) remain permanently attached at the elbow region and are closed by drawing the arm zips away from the elbow portion.

This invention relates to a garment.

Skin-tight garments such as wetsuits are notoriously difficult to put on, and pose particular difficulties for those who are inflexible and/or have physical disability.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a skin-tight garment in the form of a wet suit having a body portion; arms portions and an arm zip extending from the distal end of an arm portion and terminating at a neck area of the body portion, wherein both sides of the or each arm zip (13, 13′) remain permanently attached to each other at the distal end of an arm portion and are closed by drawing the zip up from the distal end of an arm portion (12, 12′) to the neck area of a body portion.

Ideally, there are two such arm zips, one for each arm portion. Furthermore, when worn, the arm zip(s) may extend along the outer profile of an arm portion.

The inventor has realised that provision of such arm zips enables a skin-tight wetsuit to be more readily put on and taken off.

Such a garment may further comprise leg portions and a leg zip extending from the hip area of the body portion to the end of a leg portion. Ideally, there are two such leg zips, one for each leg portion. Furthermore, when worn, the leg zip(s) may extend from a hip area along the outer profile of a leg portion.

The inventor has realised that provision of such leg zips further enables a skin-tight wetsuit to be more readily put on and taken off.

A garment of the above type may have arm portions extending to the wrist and/or leg portions extending to the ankle, or be a “shorty”, i.e. have arm portions extending only part way along the arm and/or leg portions extending only part way along the leg.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a garment (especially a skin-tight garment such as a wet suit) having: a body portion; arm portions; and at least one pair of arm zips wherein the or each pair of arm zips extends along an arm portion in respective opposite directions from an elbow region of that arm portion, and wherein both sides of the or each pair of arm zips remain permanently attached at the elbow region and are closed by drawing the arm zips away from the elbow portion.

In one embodiment, there are two such pairs of arm zips for respective arms portions. Furthermore, when worn, for each pair of arm zips for an arm portion, one arm zip may extend from the elbow to the neck area of the body portion and the other arm zip may extend from the elbow to the distal end of the arm portion. Ideally, each arm zip for an arm portion may extend along the outer profile of that arm portion.

The inventor has realised that provision of such pairs of arm zips for an arm portion enables a skin-tight wetsuit to be more readily put on and taken off.

In another embodiment, there are two pairs of leg zips for respective leg portions. Furthermore, when worn, for each pair of leg zips for a leg portion, one leg zip may extend from the knee to the hip area of the body portion and the other leg zip may extend from the knee to the distal end of the leg portion. Ideally, each leg zip may extend along the outer profile of a leg portion.

The inventor has realised that provision of such pairs of leg zips for a leg portion further enables a skin-tight wetsuit to be more readily put on and taken off.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the figures in which:

FIG. 1 a is a front view of a wetsuit containing arm zips and leg zips in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 1 b is a side view of the wet suit of FIG. 1 a illustrating the left leg zip in greater detail (omitting the left arm zip for clarity);

FIG. 1 c is a side view of the wet suit of FIG. 1 a illustrating the left arm zip in greater detail (omitting the left leg zip for clarity);

FIG. 2 a is a front view of a wetsuit containing pairs of limb zips for arm and leg portions in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 b is a side view of the wet suit of FIG. 2 a illustrating a pair of limb zips for the left leg portion in greater detail (omitting the limp zips for the left arm portion for clarity); and

FIG. 2 c is a side view of the wet suit of FIG. 2 a illustrating a pair of limb zips for the left arm portion in greater detail (omitting the limp zips for the left leg portion for clarity).

Similar features of the embodiment according to the first aspect of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 a, 1 b and 1 c and the embodiment according to the second aspect of the present invention shown in FIGS. 2 a, 2 b and 2 c are referred to by the same reference number.

Referring to FIGS. 1 a, 1 b and 1 c, a wet suit 10 is shown having a body portion 11, arm portions 12, 12′ extending to the wrist 14, 14′ and leg portions 15, 15′ extending to the ankle 17, 17′.

Along the outer periphery of the arm portions 12, 12′ are arm zips 13, 13′ which when closed extend from the neck area of the body portion 11 to the end of respective arm portions.

The arm zips 13, 13′ are permanently retained at the end of an arm portion 12, 12′ and closed by drawing the zip up from the end of an arm portion to the neck area of the body portion 11.

Along the outer periphery of the leg portions 15, 15′ are leg zips 16, 16′ which when closed extend from the hip areas of the body portion 11 to the end of respective leg portions.

The leg zips 13, 13′ are permanently retained at the hip areas of the body portion 11 and are closed by drawing the zip down towards respective ends of the leg portions.

Exploded views A and B shown the neck area and ankle area in greater detail and illustrate arm zip 13′ and leg zip 16′ protected by respective flaps 19, 18 which may be releasibly secured to the garment by Velcro®.

Referring to FIGS. 2 a, 2 b and 2 c, a wet suit 10 is shown having a body portion 11, arm portions 12, 12′ extending to the wrist 14, 14′ and leg portions 15, 15′ extending to the ankle 17, 17′.

Along the outer periphery of the arm portions 12, 12′ are respective pairs of zips 13 & 21, 13′ & 21′. These pairs of zips extends in respective opposite directions from the elbow (20, 20′, 22, 22′) wherein both sides of these pairs of zips remain permanently attached at the elbow and are closed by drawing the them away from the elbow (to the neck area of the body portion (11) and the distal end (14, 14′) of the arm portion respectively).

Along the outer periphery of the leg portions 15, 15′ are respective pairs of zips 16 & 23, 16′ & 23′ . These pairs of zips extends in respective opposite directions from the knee (22, 22′) wherein both sides of these pairs of zips remain permanently attached at the knee and are closed by drawing the them away from the knee (to the hip area of the body portion (11) and the distal end (17, 17′) of the leg portion respectively).

Exploded views A and B shown the neck area and ankle area in greater detail and illustrate arm zip 13′ and leg zip 23′ protected by respective flaps 19, 18 which may be releasibly secured to the garment by Velcro®. 

1. A skin-tight garment (10) in the form of a wetsuit having a body portion (11); arms portions (12, 12′); and an arm zip (13, 13′) extending from the distal end of an arm portion and terminating at a neck area of the body portion, wherein both sides of the or each arm zip (13, 13′) remain permanently attached to each other at the distal end of an arm portion and are closed by drawing the zip up from the distal end of an arm portion (12, 12′) to the neck area of a body portion.
 2. A garment (10) as claimed in claim 1 comprising two arm zips (13, 13′) wherein each arm zip extends from the distal end of a respective arm portion (12, 12′) and terminates at the neck area of the body portion (11).
 3. A garment (10) as claimed in claim 1 wherein, when worn, the or each arm zip (13, 13′) extends along the outer profile of an arm portion (12, 12′).
 4. A garment (10) as claimed in claim 1 wherein, when worn, the arm portions extend to the wrist (14, 14′).
 5. A garment (10) according to claim 1 further comprising leg portions (15, 15′) and a leg zip (16, 16′) extending from the hip area of the body portion (11) to the end of a leg portion.
 6. A garment (10) as claimed in 5 comprising two leg zips (16, 16′) wherein each leg zip extends from a hip area of the body portion (11) to the end of a respective leg portion (15, 15′).
 7. A garment (10) as claimed in claim 5 wherein, when worn, the or each leg zip (16, 16′) extending from a hip area of the body portion (11) to the end of a leg portion (15, 15′) extends along the outer profile of a leg portion.
 8. A garment (10) as claimed in claim 5 wherein, when worn, the leg portions (15, 15′) extend to the ankle.
 9. A garment (10) having a body portion (11); arm portions (12, 12′); and at least one pair of arm zips (13 & 21; 13′ & 21′) wherein the or each pair of arm zips extends along an arm portion in respective opposite directions from an elbow region (20, 20′) of that arm portion, and wherein both sides of the or each pair of arm zips (13, 13′) remain permanently attached at the elbow region and are closed by drawing the arm zips away from the elbow portion.
 10. A garment (10) as claimed in claim 9 comprising two pairs of arm zips (13 & 21; 13′ & 21′) for respective arms portions (12, 12′).
 11. A garment (10) as claimed in claim 10 wherein, for each pair of arm zips (13 & 21; 13′ & 21′), one arm zip (13, 13′) extends from the elbow region (20, 20′) to the neck area of the body portion (11) and the other arm zip (21, 21′) extends from the elbow to the distal end (14, 14′) of the arm portion.
 12. A garment (10) as claimed in claim 10 wherein each arm zip (13 & 21; 13′ & 21′) extends along the outer profile of an arm portion.
 13. A garment (10) as claimed in claim 9 further comprising two pairs of leg zips (16, 23; 16′, 23′) for respective leg portions (15, 15′).
 14. A garment (10) as claimed in claim 13 wherein, for each pair of leg zips (16 & 23; 16′ & 23′), one leg zip (16, 16′) extends from a knee (22, 22′) to a hip area of the body portion (11) and the other leg zip (23, 23′) extends from the knee to the distal end (17, 17′) of a leg portion.
 15. A garment (10) as claimed in claim 13 wherein each leg zip (16 & 23; 16′ & 23′) extends along the outer profile of a leg portion.
 16. A garment (10) as claimed in claim 9 wherein the garment is reinforced at a least one elbow region from which a pair of arm zips extends.
 17. A garment (10) as claimed in claim 9 in the form of a wet suit.
 18. A garment (10) as claimed in claim 9 wherein the garment (10) is skin-tight. 